Digital Pilgrimage With Fr. Anthony – Church of Presentation

Fr. Anthony, Sr. Terry Rickard, & 45 others left on Oct.12 for an 11-day pilgrimage exploring Medieval Mystics & Saints with a focus on Hildegard of Bingen. Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 14, he is sending videos of the pilgrimage to us, which we are posting on this page. On Sunday, Oct. 18, he will give the homily at the 12pm mass virtually (on our big screen) from Germany. In addition, he will be with us virtually at the 9am mass on Tuesday, Oct. 20. We pray they have a safe and Spirit-filled journey!

Day 2 – October 14:

Today we are visiting the Disibodenberg Monastery, where Hildegard spent a significant part of her early years as a nun.

Day 3 continued: Vespers at the Monastery in the lineage of Hildegard

Fr Anthony celebrated Mass at the Church of St Hildegard.

Hildegard’s remains are in the gold plated reliquary.

Location of the St Hildegard’s monastery built in Rudesheim.

The new monastery built by St Hildegard after she left the Disibodenheim monastery. It currently houses 28 Benedictine Sisters. We celebrated evening vespers prayed by the sisters.

Day 3 – Oct 15

Morning Prayer — Pilgrimage Day 3

From the Land of Hildegard through Rothenburg to Munich

“Those who follow you, Lord, will have the light of life.”God of the dawn and God of our journey, we thank you for this new day, for companions along the way, and for the grace of being pilgrims. As we leave the land of Hildegard, may we carry her spirit with us: eyes awake to your light in all creation, hearts alive with your greening power, and courage to speak and live your love.

Today, in the beautiful medieval streets of Rothenburg, help us to slow down and notice— the beauty shaped by human hands,the stories held within ancient walls, and the lives of those who call this place home. As Christmas decorations delight us, may they awaken more than memories.

May they remind us of Emmanuel, God with us—your presence among us in the ordinary, the fragile, and the surprising. Give us the wonder of children and hearts ready to welcome Christ anew. As we travel onward to Munich, bless our driver, our guides,and everyone we meet. Give us patience when we are tired, kindness in our conversations, and room in our hearts for one another.

May this pilgrimage move us inward as well as onward Let what we see deepen our gratitude. Let what we learn enlarge our compassion. Let each encounter draw us closer to you. Christ, our light, go before us, walk beside us, and shine through us today. Amen.

Sr. Theresa Rickard, OP

This is part of the German camino.

Travel Day for the pilgirms. From Mainz to Munich, a 7 hour drive. Stopped at this medieval village of Rothenburg.

Day 4

Church of St Jacobs with many wood sculptures from the 1500s artist, Tilman Riemenschneider of Wuzburg. These include the Twelve Apostles Altar and the Altar of the Holy Blood, his most famous sculpture. Includes the reliquary of the Holy Blood – crystal in the center of the cross.

Town Hall in the Mary Plaza, Munich

Day 5 – Started the day with Fr Anthony celebrating the Eucharist at St Peter’s church in Munich.

Visited other churches in Munich

Ended the day with dinner at the Augustine Brew Haus

Day 6: At the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Bavaria

Day 7 Morning Prayer

God of the journey,as we leave Munich this morning,we carry more than photographs and souvenirs.We carry memories, questions,and the quiet ways you have touched our hearts.We remember the life of Marienplatz—its music, its clock, its gathering of people.We remember the silence of Dachau,the lives so cruelly taken,and our responsibility to stand against hatred.May what we witnessed deepen our courage to protect the dignity of every person.We carry the graces of the Marian shrine at Altötting,where generations have sought Mary’s intercession.For our Eucharist, our prayers for healing,and the burdens we entrusted to your love,we give you thanks.Continue your healing within usand within those whose names we hold dear.As we travel toward Austria,its mountains and lakes,let Hildegard’s delight in your greening poweropen our eyes to the life stirring around us—and the life still unfolding within us.With Thomas Merton,draw us beneath the noise of our busy mindsinto the stillness where we discoverwho we are in you.As we begin to explore Meister Eckhart,teach us to loosen our grip,to make room within,and to welcome your presencein this ordinary, holy day.When we sail upon the lake,let the water invite us to be still.Let the mountains awaken wonder.Let our laughter and companionshipremind us that joy, too, is prayer.Bless us with safe travelopen the eyes of our heartto all we encounter this day.Keep our hearts attentive,our spirits grateful,and our steps rooted in your love.Jesus, companion of pilgrims,Walk with usand continue to deepenthe communion among us.Amen.Sr. Terry Rickard, OP

Fr Anthony’s Sunday Homily – Oct 18, 2

Fr Anthony sharing his thoughts on their way to Salzburg Austria.

On our way to Salzburg we visited the Lake District in Gernany on the Austrian border. We glided across Lake Konigsee in a quiet electric boat, surrounded by the majestic Alps, We listened as a trumpet’s echo rang back from the mountains. A moment of wonder and awe before the beauty of God’s creation.

Today’s Mass was at St Wolfgang’s church in scenic Salzkammergut.

Today the pilgrims explored key scene locations of the Sound of Music through the town of Mondsee, where the church in which the wedding was filmed to several locations in Salzburg- Pegasus fountain, the garden steps, the gazebo and the house in which Mozart was born.

The pilgirms traveled to Vienna with a stop at the Stift Melk, an Abbey since 1089. We celebrated Mass and took at th tour of the Abbey. (note: trying to upload the video of the Mass)

The pilgrims also stopped at the apricot farm near the Danube. A family owned farm by our guide. Benedict gave us a tour of the apricot processing facility. A wonderful stop with sampling.